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Feds Announce More Higher Standards for ENERGY STAR® Refrigerators Energy Star Refigerator
In late 2007, the U.S. Department of Energy announced increased energy efficient standards for refrigerators carrying the ENERGY STAR® label. In order to qualify, full-size refrigerators must be a minimum of 20 percent more efficient than current federal energy efficiency standards, an increase from the existing 15 percent. The new standard will go into effect April 28, 2008.

An estimated 2.2 million higher standard ENERGY STAR® qualified refrigerators will be sold in 2008, saving American families up to $23.5 million annually on their electric bills, and over 230 million kilowatt hours of energy – enough to light every household in Washington, DC, for more than five months. Current ENERGY STAR® qualified refrigerators use 65 percent less energy than refrigerator models in 1980. It is estimated that any increase in product price for an ENERGY STAR® qualified refrigerator would be offset within 3-5 years.

ENERGY STAR® is a joint DOE-EPA program, formed in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership that seeks to reduce air pollution through increased energy efficiency. The ENERGY STAR® label appears on more than 40 kinds of consumer products. To learn more about ENERGY STAR®, and to view the revised program requirements, visit the or call 1-888-STAR-YES.

Get Smart About Energy Energy Smart Schools Program Releases “Get Smart About Energy” Web Site and Promotional CD
The U.S. Department of Energy launched the “Get Smart About Energy” web site with more than 300 lessons and hands-on activities about energy efficiency and renewable energy designed for teachers and students. Lessons are organized by grade level – K-4, 5-8, and 9-12 – and by topic area: Energy Fundamentals, Efficiency and Conservation, Sources of Energy, and Environmental Impacts. The lessons have been provided by national and international educational, scientific, and environmental organizations and are aligned with the National Science Education Standards. The CD has 94 sample lessons and activities as a way to encourage users to visit the web site where lessons will be added and updated on a regular basis.
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